If only Manchester City had performed with this urgency earlier in Group D
they might still be in the Champions League.

Inspired by the sublime David Silva, City played with real conviction in the second half but it was too little, too late. Their dream is over for another season. They may not even make the Europa League.

Roberto Mancini’s side were pitted in a tough group, containing all champions, but losing in Amsterdam, even acknowledging Ajax’s excellence, was poor, while drawing all their home games was woeful.

City need to rebuild their citadel. The Etihad must become a venue feared by visitors. Cristiano Ronaldo looked like he owned the place in the first 20 minutes, mocking the home fans’ taunts of “You’re just a s--- Lionel Messi”. City were so open in the early stages.

As champions of England, City in a way represent one of the Premier League’s serial flaws, a lack of concentration defensively. Mancini was painfully aware of this, even using his programme notes to appeal for greater focus from his defenders following failures late on at the Bernabeu and in both meetings with Ajax.

City were also taken apart by Borussia Dortmund here in this group of woes. Yet Mancini’s 3-5-2 tactics hardly strengthened the barricades, inviting Ronaldo and Angel di Maria to run beyond City’s wing-backs, causing much alarm in the early stages. Only when Mancini switched to the more familiar 4-2-3-1 did City look more robust.

As the inquests continue into City’s exit from Europe’s elite competition there will inevitably be question-marks about Mancini’s own record in the Champions League, which was hardly covered with epic moments at Inter Milan.

Following this demise, Mancini even had to field a question on whether he feared for his job, particularly after Roberto Di Matteo’s sacking six months after guiding Chelsea to the Champions League.

Mancini, though, enjoys the support of his club’s owners, deservedly so, having led City to the title. There is an air of patience and permanence around City from the boardroom to the dugout to the impressive building work going on at the adjacent Etihad Campus. The disappointment flowing from this exit will not be followed by panic.

Mancini talked of a learning curve but he had some experienced defenders out there, men such as Vincent Kompany and Maicon, yet City were far too sluggish in forming proper resistance when Real surged forward after 10 minutes. City’s left flank, and Aleksandar Kolarov in particular, simply watched as Di Maria controlled the ball. He had so much time he could have lit a cigar, signed a few autographs and checked his stocks and shares.

Untroubled by City players, Di Maria calmly lifted the ball into the box. Karim Benzema ghosted in, totally ignored by Maicon, and turned the ball past Joe Hart from five yards. Pablo Zabaleta, who started as the right-sided of the three centre-halves, glared at Maicon.

Then Ronaldo began to show, leading Kompany a merry dance at one point. Real cut Mancini’s back three to light-blue ribbons. Xabi Alonso released Khedira, Kompany and Matija Nastasic resembled sleepy night porters. Only Hart’s quickness off his line denied Khedira.

City were slowly finding their feet. Sergio Agüero had already brought a smart save from Iker Casillas. City then switched to a back four, Zabaleta moving over to left-back with Maicon withdrawn to right-back, although still advancing at times, even poking a shot wide. Silva began to show, weaving his neat way down the inside-right channel, losing Fabio Coentrao, but Edin Dzeko was having one of his laboured nights.

Ronaldo threatened on the break. Yaya Touré resorted to illegal measures to stop Ronaldo’s progress, earning a booking that removes him from the trip to Borussia Dortmund on Dec 4. Some City fans chanted “cheat” at Ronaldo, an affront to a special player. Ronaldo’s calibre was respected by the City players and Aguero raced back 50 yards to dispossess Real’s No 7.

Mancini twisted. Javi Garcia was sent on for the second half, Kolarov withdrawn, and the new arrival allowed Touré to push on. City looked slightly sharper. Silva sent Agüero through but the Argentine overran the ball. Silva was lively, testing Casillas. Mancini sent on Carlos Tévez for Samir Nasri. City were giving their fans hope, playing with more fight and pride. They began hunting an equaliser with greater hunger. Maicon swept in a cross from the right, gifting a wonderful chance for Agüero, who placed his shot too close to Casillas. Agüero’s next move was more telling, running into the box, going to ground under a challenge from Alvaro Arbeloa with 16 minutes left. The Italian referee, Gianluca Rocchi, pointed to the spot, angering Real, who felt it was the softest of decisions. With Arbeloa already booked, the former Liverpool player had to walk. Agüero increased the punishment with a cool penalty past Casillas.

Mourinho was furious with the decision but with City unable to punish the 10 men, the Special One was overall in quixotic mood on his 100th Champions League game, giving a huge smile to a City ballboy one moment, the next sarcastically applauding the fourth official’s signal of five minutes’ injury time.

The game ended on a slightly sour note with Mourinho and Mancini failing to shake hands.